POA BLOG

Inside Achimota Where These African Leaders Had Their Humble Beginnings

“Establishing lasting peace is the work of education, all politics can do is keep us out of war”

Nestled within the heart of Ghana lies Achimota School, an educational institution renowned for its academic excellence and storied history. This prestigious school, situated on the outskirts of the capital city, Accra, boasts of an illustrious list of alumni whose influence transcends borders and embodies the very essence of African leadership.

From freedom fighters to statesmen, Achimota School has been a vessel for minds destined to shape the destinies of a nation. The following African heads of state are old boys of Achimota High School -
1.Dr. Kwame Nkrumah

Kwame Nkrumah, the first Prime Minister & President of Ghana between 1960 and 1966, began his educational journey at the Government Training College, now known as Achimota School, where he graduated in 1930.
2.Edward Akufo-Addo

Edward Akufo-Addo, one of Ghana's founding fathers and a staunch advocate for Ghana's independence embarked on his educational journey in 1929 at Achimota before earning a scholarship to St Peter's College, Oxford.
3.Jerry John Rawlings

Jerry John Rawlings, a former President of Ghana, received his education at Achimota School, earning his General Certificate of Education 'O' Level in 1966
4.John Evans Atta Mills

Atta Mills, a Ghanaian politician and legal scholar who served as President of Ghana from 2009 until his death in July 2012 pursued his secondary education at the prestigious Achimota School, where he completed the Ordinary and Advanced-Level Certificates in 1961 and 1963
5.Robert Mugabe

Mugabe, who was Zimbabwe's Prime Minister from 1980 to 1987 and President from 1987 to 2017 also attended Achimota School during his days as a student.
6.Sir Dawda Jawara

Dawada Jawara who served as Gambia's Prime Minister from 1962 to 1970 and subsequently as President from 1970 to 1994 once enrolled at Achimota College in Ghana.